UK health service under 'extreme' strain amid omicron surge

The leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party is missing the chance to grill Prime Minister Boris Johnson about the government’s COVID-19 policies after testing positive for the coronavirus

LONDON -- The leader of Britain's opposition Labour Party tested positive for the coronavirus and will miss the chance to grill Prime Minister Boris Johnson about the government's COVID-19 policies Wednesday as soaring infections strain the U.K. health system.

Johnson said Tuesday that the country has “a chance to ride out” the omicron variant-driven surge in infections without imposing tough lockdown measures. He is scheduled to answer questions in Parliament on Wednesday afternoon and to deliver a statement on COVID-19.

A party spokesperson said Labour leader Keir Starmer would miss the session after testing positive for the virus.

Confirmed new daily infections across the U.K. jumped to a record 218,274 on Tuesday, 15% more than the previous high set Dec. 31. However, inconsistent reporting during the holiday period may have inflated the daily figures.